The Skewer Podcast

Another amazing Skewer. Unfortunately we lost host Tom Harrison's opener because he forgot to press the "Record" button. Oh well. The rest of the lineup was pure class. Donna Das discussed the infuriatingly stupid and fake idea of "electability." Dan Lastres explained how Lovecraftian role-playing-games are the perfect way to practice navigating the eldritch shores of 2020. Alisa Rosenthal covered this month in fluff with a recap of this season of the Bachelor. And Ian Randall explained how an American expat makes do when living abroad (note: "make do" may be an overstatement). Finally, erica dreisbach takes the Skewer debate crown unopposed due to her opponent's illness, but what a victory lap she took! Folks, it's a good one. Check it! News Quiz with Kevin Johnson (Round One) - 00:00 Donna Das - 07:13 Dan Lastres - 17:30 Alisa Rosenthal - 37:00 Ian Randall - 47:53 News Quiz with Kevin Johnson (Round Two) - 59:46 THE SKEWER DEBATE: erica dreisbach vs. N/A - 1:07:00

The first Skewer of 2020 is one for the ages. erica dreisbach, the champion of goofs, hosts a lineup that cannot be defeated. Onicia Muller offers practical advice to Carribbean politicians looking to use hurricane relief to line their pockets. Sadie Lancrete does one of the funniest fucking bits I have even experienced you have to hear to believe. Tom Harrison tells you about his fun vacation in Spain. And Joe Anderson explores how this country is so obsessed with signifiers of intelligence that we all have to pretend weird idiot sex perverts like Alan Dershowitz are important people we have to respect. Finally, Justin Parlette and Carrie Cook square up to debate which long-separated 90's duo needs to reunite. This one whips, folks. Enjoy! erica dreisbach -00:55 News Quiz with Kevin Johnson, Round 1 - 6:43 Onicia Muller - 12:20 Sadie Lancrete - 19:50 Tom Harrison - 30:19 Joe Anderson - 51:25 News Quiz with Kevin Johnson, Round 2 - 1:07:30 THE SKEWER DEBATE: Justin Parlette vs. Carrie Cook - 1:14:17

The last Skewer of the 2010s was an all-timer that will forever be one of the best. Tom Harrison let loose with a virtuoso performance of saying the words "ooze" and "goo" as he hosted a truly delightful lineup. erica dreisbach philosophized about the secret sauce that makes revolutions against corrupt leaders actually work. Devin Whitlock exposed the morally bankrupt right-wing scaremongering campaigns convincing your grandparents there's a war on Christmas. Tom McHenry decoded the incomprehensible power structures that led a mega-successful author to sic 250,000 furious soldiers on some rando college student. And Josh Watkins became the Skewer's official elections correspondent as he roasted his brain to a chewy leather with a deep dive into the Buttigeig campaign. To top it off, Alex Morales and Lindsay Eanet sparred in a screamingly good debate over the best way to strike back against the billionaires who are clearly building up their defenses against an uprising while there's still time. Folks, it's very good! Check it!! Tom Harrison - 00:34 News Quiz with Kevin Johnson (Round One) - 10:36 erica dreisbach - 19:40 Devin Whitlock - 29:33 Tom McHenry - 38:38 Josh Watkins - 53:58 News Quiz with Kevin Johnson (Round Two) - 1:13:51 The Skewer Debate: Lindsay Eanet vs. Alex Morales - 1:20:30

The Skewer's fourth birthday bash was a triumph beyond triumphs. With excellent op-eds from Ken Mejia-Beal, Maya Marshall, and Arish Singh, plus a much-anticipated and deeply meta debate between Skewer co-producers Tom Harrison and erica dreisbach, it was a night whose strength and power will live on forever in our hearts. Here's to another year! Tom Harrison - 00:42 News Quiz pt. 1 - 10:55 Ken Mejia-Beal - 20:05 Maya Marshall - 31:04 Arish Singh - 44:57 News Quiz pt. 2 - 1:08:22 THE SKEWER DEBATE: Tom vs. erica - 1:15:10

Folks, it's one of the best editions of the Skewer ever. erica dreisbach as ever does a masterful job hosting, leading an all-star lineup of Chicago's best. Maggie Tomasek brings us up to date on the state of true crime content. Alex Borkowski correctly identifies Ross Douthat as one of the Earth's stupidest dullards. Jessie Cadle uses her own mutinous body as an example of why the country needs universal healthcare. And Sara McHenry rips sick clouds as she explores the unstable position vaping holds in the country. Finally, Tom Harrison debates himself in a truly goofy Skewer debate! His opponent was too ill to show up, so Tom argued both sides to decide what conspiracy the public should demand an answer to next: WHAT WAS THE DEAL WITH THE SCARY CLOWNS IN 2016 vs. CAN JET FUEL MELT STEEL BEAMS. It's dumb! It's fun! Check it out!!! erica dreisbach - 00:38 News Quiz round 1 - 8:17 Maggie Tomasek - 14:30 Alex Borkowski - 26:00 Jessie Cadle - 36:51 Sara McHenry - 49:22 New Quiz round 2 - 1:02:13 The Skewer Debate: Tom Harrison vs. DoppelTom - 1:06:58

The Skewer forges on! Tom Harrison hosts a lovely lineup despite his Epstein-addled brain. Roxane West delivers a blistering eulogy of cruel hell-man David Koch. Calle Hack brings us up to speed on the bedbugs in the media. erica dreisbach outlines the death rattle of a social network using Snapchat as an example. And finally, Ray Goldberg and Josephine Maria Yanasak-Leszczynski debate to decide the best way to ensure no moralizing scolds spoil our celebration when Trump eventually dies. Folks, the Skewer owns and this is no exception. Get at it!!

The Skewer's summer break is over and we're back in business doing that live lit shit you love so well. Our writers were in fine form tonight, hosted by the indomitable Devon Price, who proved that bitterness can sometimes be a powerful tonic. Devin Whitlock wished us a happy Eid, or as happy as it can be in a world gripped by Islamophobia. Alex Morales as Dr. Xavier Machina lamented his inability to end the world via evil science and having to settle for plain old climate change. Carrie Cook took Rob Thomas (not that one) to task for once again seeding his work with lazy sexist tropes. And in the Skewer debate, Kevin Fergus and Tom Harrison faced off to discover the ultimate eternal punishment for notably cancelled director Quentin Tarantino. It is a hell of a show folks, get at it!!! Devon Price - 0:19 News Quiz Round 1 - 11:47 Devin Whitlock - 19:14 Alex Morales - 28:29 Carrie Cook - 39:42 News Quiz Round 2- 48:30 THE SKEWER DEBATE: Tom Harrison vs. Kevin Fergus - 55:18

The Skewer cannot be stopped! Join host erica dresibach for a night of satirical delights, with op-eds from the illustrious Noa Heinrich, Carly Heiser, and Lily Be, capped off with a debate between Megan Henricks and Tom Harrison (as played by Kevin Johnson). Check it!! erica dreisbach - 0:34 News Quiz with Kevin Johnson - 6:40 Noa Heinrich - 13:15 Carly Heiser - 23:07 Lily Be - 32:46 SKEWER DEBATE: Megan Henricks vs. Kevin Johnson (as Tom Harrison) - 44:00

Is it possible for the Skewer not to kick ass and own? Evidence points to no. Another month in the books means another astonishing show of wit from Chicago's best writers, and what fun it was. Archy Jamjun explores complicated feelings about the ever-expanding shitshow that is the Democratic primary. Sara McHenry takes us on a tour of the fetid prison swamp of the Marvel Movie Marathon. Joe Anderson exposes the hateful sin of horny as the blight it is. And erica dreisbach and Lindsay Eanet debate the best way to legalize marijuana in honor of 4/20, the funniest day. Folks, I know I always say this month's Skewer was one of the best ever, but this one really was. Check it!! Tom Harrison: 1:13 News Quiz with Kevin Johnson: 11:57 Archy Jamjun: 19:04 Sara McHenry: 39:35 Joe Anderson: 51:53 THE SKEWER DEBATE - Lindsay Eanet vs erica dreisbach: 1:06:35

An exceptional Skewer, folks, as hero Devon Price guest hosts a lineup of true stars to put the dumb news of March 2019 to rest. Jax Barker kicks us off with a story of grappling with Irish pride and identity even as the community rallies around extremely wrong and racist tropes. Calle Hack breaks down Elizabeth Holmes's mega-confident scammery into a blueprint we can all follow. Bill Bullock pitched a Jussie Smollet redemption vehicle Hollywood would be foolish to turn down. And Arish Singh gives us some context about incoming Chicago alderman Andre Vasquez's past as a batle rapper by revealing some of his opponent's most damning bars. Topping it all off is a blazing hot Skewer debate with Kelsey Buckley vs. Tom Harrison to determine which dead person Trump should feud with next--the australopithecus skeleton Lucy or Walt Disney's (allegedly) frozen head? Look, friends, this is one you will not want to miss. Check it!

The Skewer features our first ever guest host, Skewer veteran Roxane West, hosting a delightful evening full of extremely dope writers! Ken Mejia-Beal schooled us on the truth about treason. Allison Shackelford showed us how to cut through the noise around the Jussie Smollett story. Maria Konopken explained how personally gratifying it can be to see true representation in the seats of power. And Tom Harrison yammered about how sumo wrestling is cool. Topped off with a debate between Ale Domeier and Anna Gilchrist, this is a Skewer that is not to be missed. Check it!

The Skewer returns to howl and wail in 2019! Tom, like a true dungus, forgot to turn the mic on for his opener, which is now lost to time, but the rest of the show is intact and pristine. Em Haverty takes on Woke Brands for failing to responsibly engage in the issues they're trying to make money on. Elaine Orion gives an incredibly thoroughly-researched rundown of the Covington Catholic racist teens. Josh Watkins, election reporter, takes us on a tour of the burbling ghouls grasping at the mayor's office. And Stephanie Weber takes notable Italian Ariana Grande to task for her serial cultural appropriations. Finally, Oz Elgun and Noa Heinrich engage in a thrilling debate to decide how the United States should up its coup game after resting on its laurels with Venezuela. Folks....it owns. Check it!

We close out 2018 with a Skewer for the ages. Host and co-producer erica dreisbach takes the stage for the last time as a non-baby-haver, and she makes it a barn-burner worthy of the occasion. Allie Reid kicks off the show with a proposal to use cults to solve our political woes. Maggie Tomasek gets personal in her takedown of the American medical system and the loathsome DeVos family. Kyna Lenhof refuses to let misogynist coverage of women in politics go unskewered. And Tom Harrison shares the mystical key to all wise genius political insight: Posting. Finally, an unusually well-tempered debate between Dan Lastres and Alex Morales decides once and for all how to defuse Europe's burgeoning fascist movement. ALSO: the first-ever controversy-free TOTAL VICTORY in Kevin Johnson's fake news quiz! Folks, it's good! The Skewer whips ass! erica dreisbach: 0:36 Fake News Quiz Round 1: 6:00 Allie Reid: 13:08 Maggie Tomasek: 22:00 Kyna Lenhof: 31:33 Tom Harrison: 43:17 Fake News Quiz Round 2: 1:13:01 THE SKEWER DEBATE - Dan Lastres vs. Alex Morales: 1:19:40

It's the Skewer's third birthday and we're back to deliver a dose of much-needed post-election aftercare. Tom Harrison hosts as Jillian Ebanks, Sadie Lancrete, Will Sonheim, and Ada Cheng each deliver extremely good op-eds and Matthew Marquez debates Lindsay Eanet to decide the next step to fix our ailing country. It's the kind of truly dope-as-hell experience you have come to expect from three years of Skewering, and we're proud to keep it coming. Thanks for all your support from 2015 to now!

This October, Tom was stricken by the goddamn flu and could not host the show, nor could he bring the mic with which the show is usually recorded--but that will not stop THE SKEWER! Intrepid co-producer erica dreisbach took over hosting duties and recorded the show with her phone. The quality isn't great, we admit, but if you are willing to slog through, there are numerous goodies waiting for you within, with op-eds from Sonal Aggarwal, Nora Regis, Adam Lawson, and Jasmine Davila, and a spinge-tingling debate between erica driesbach and Eric Ruelle (ably moderated by news quiz czar Kevin Johnson). Thanks for listening!

Reporting from a packed room at the Hopleaf at Lit Crawl 2018, it's THE SKEWER bringing you that hot hot news satire now in mini-show form! Join us as we represent the best of Chicago's live lit scene with Erika Price's meme anthropology, Archy Arch J explains the fucked-up state of the Thai royal family, and Ian Rigg and Alisa Rosenthal engage in a truly astounding debate to decide who should play Superman in the next big screen adaptation. This was one for the books. Many thanks to Gwynn Fulcher, Jessica Anne, and Lindsay Muscato for having us at Lit Crawl! Erika Price- 2:10 Archy Arch J- 14:15 DEBATE: Ian Rigg vs. Alisa Rosenthal- 26:03

It's another great great edition of THE SKEWER! Behold the first month in which Tom had no hand in the production or performance of the show, and what a great one it was! erica driesbach continues to be a peerless and incandescent host, as Jeff Phillips shares his plans as the new official Federal Wildfire Czar, Malic White takes the loathsome Louis C.K. to task as Pumpkin the Dog, Josh Watkins exposes the hopeless nightmare charade that are Illinois elections, and Megan Henricks faces down against Carly Oishi to determine the best way to deal with the rapidly worsening air conditions in our hell country! It's fun, it's good, it's the Skewer! ENJOY! erica dreisbach - 0:32 Kevin Johnson's News Quiz Round 1 - 8:43 Jeff Phillips - 17:20 Malic White - 31:47 Josh Watkins - 41:22 Kevin Johnson's News Quiz Round 2 - 56:40 The Skewer Debate: Megan Henricks vs. Carly Oishi - 1:04:03

Another amazing edition of the Skewer is in the books! Tom Harrison hosted a truly incredible lineup of writers as they delivered incredible pieces on the news of July 2018. Calle Hack brought a middle child's perspective on the death of the Middle Child. Devin Whitlock looked back at the comically corrupt reign of Scott Pruitt. Rosamund Lannin shared a story of how not even the world of the sciences is free from the stranglehold of misogyny. And Joe Anderson talked about how Elon Musk can't log off. Topping it off, Noah Heinrich and erica dreisbach faced off in an all-timer debate to decide the fate of Horny in America forever. ALSO featuring the first-ever TOTAL VICTORY in the Skewer News Quiz (though I will put a big asterisk on it, mostly out of spite but still)! It's good! It's grand! Enjoy! Tom Harrison - 1:34 Kevin Johnson's News Quiz: Round One - 13:17 Calle Hack - 19:22 Devin Whitlock - 27:19 erica dreisbach's Voicemail Op-Ed - 36:10 Rosamund Lannin - 39:16 Joe Anderson - 49:24 News Quiz Round Two - 1:02:17 THE SKEWER DEBATE: erica vs. Noah - 1:10:42

Another unmitigated triumph from the hallowed halls of the Skewer. Truly, the Skewer is the Good Time that will never fail and this statement is 100% not hubris AT ALL! The show shuddered with intense goodness! Tom Harrison started the show with a condemnation of weak-ass libs! Cameron Davis pulled out an intensely well-timed sketch as the concierge who brings peace and sensuality to the Korean peninsula. Carrie Cook took a look at Roseanne and the nature of problematic art. Mike Haverty cast a vicious eye to that hell cult, masculinity. And Julia Weiss yelled at cruel, hard-hearted Christians--as they deserve! We cap the show off with a truly uproarious debate to decide the best way to get rich by ignoring our conscience & going full stupid evil. It's a good one!! Enjoy! Tom Harrison - 2:02 News Quiz Round One - 15:30 Cameron Davis - 21:34 Carrie Cook - 29:13 Mike Haverty - 40:16 Julia Weiss - 52:05 News Quiz Round Two - 1:01:13 THE SKEWER DEBATE: erica dreisbach vs. Kevin Johnson - 1:07:12

Another triumph from your Skewer friends. erica dreisbach opens the show by proxy. Sandy Lee shares a personal take on the news of the Korean peninsula. Tom Harrison talks about newspaper comics. Nora Regis takes us on a sightseeing tour of Facebook's heinous history. Lily Be calls out the hypocrisy and laziness in white America's response to endemic racism and the particular racism of this month's Starbucks arrests. And Allie Reid and Roxane West face off to decide how best to react to the pee tape's certain release: Huge viewing party, or somber trudge into the sea? Guys the Skewer owns, why deny it? Check it out!

Another Skewer bursts with extreme goodness, as is customary. Kevin Johnson's fake news quiz and host Tom Harrison's opener kicked off the show, and naught but excellence followed. Devin Whitlock shared the story of how, but for certain crucial decisions, his life could have ended up like Tomi Lahren's. Eric Lutz railed against liberal Russia-conspiracy theorists who make real journalism even more exhausting than usual. Melanie O'Brien exposed venture capitalists' Midwest safaris as the creepily predatory nonsense it is. Arish Singh showed how the Decemberists' unironic love of feds and cops exemplifies peak whiteness. And Josh Watkins and erica dreisbach clashed in a debate for the ages to decide the best way to spin our post-nuclear lives as a positive. Folks, it owned in a big way! Thanks to all our writers, and fight fascism forever! Kevin Johnson's Fake News Quiz (Round 1)- 1:15 Tom Harrison- 6:35 erica dreisbach Voicemail Op-Ed- 19:05 Devin Whitlock- 23:05 Eric Lutz- 32:58 Fake News Quiz (Round 2)- 47:56 Melanie O'Brien- 54:55 Arish Singh- 1:08:07 Fake News Quiz (Round 3)- 1:27:30 THE SKEWER DEBATE: Josh Watkins vs. erica dreisbach- 1:34:58

The Skewer owns. Was there ever doubt? Kevin Johnson's fake news quiz and host Tom Harrison open the show. Behnam Riahi explores what makes a terrorist in response to Nicholas Cruz. Adam Homer Lawson shares an actual teacher's take on the epidemic of school violence. Ines Bellina breaks down what people are missing about the Latinx-focused message of The Shape of Water. And Alisa Rosenthal brings joy to our blighted lives via the Netflix reboot of Queer Eye. Finally, Ray Goldberg and Noah Heinrich engage in vicious verbal combat to decide the next Winter Olympic event: Threatening to Move or Cancelling Plans. Guys, this show owns! We got top to bottom winners here. Enjoy! Fake News Quiz with Kevin Johnson (round 1) - 0:33 Tom Harrison - 6:28 Voicemail Op-Ed from erica dreisbach - 20:34 Behnam Riahi - 24:24 Adam Homer Lawson - 38:30 Fake News Quiz with Kevin Johnson (round 2) - 51:34 Ines Bellina - 57:00 Alisa Rosenthal -1:08:49 Fake News Quiz with Kevin Johnson (round 3) - 1:19:23 THE SKEWER DEBATE: Ray Goldberg vs. Noah Heinrich - 1:25:16

The Skewer returns to take on 2018 with our customary wit and brutality! erica dreisbach hosts a truly delightful host of top-tier writers ready to tear the first month of 2018 a new one. Oz Elgun kicks off the proceedings with a recap of the #MeToo movement. Calle Hack spoke to the crippling anxiety the world is thrusting on all of us. Kayla Lane Freeman explained why the only future for BitCoin lies in radically feminist rebranding. And Fareine Suarez explored why the alt-right has such a weirdly specific thing for Asian women. Rounding out the evening were Kevin Johnson's always-delightful fake news quizzes and a RIP-ROARING debate between Tom Harrison and Archy Arch J to determine why we will in such a miserably Trumpy world: do we live in literal hell or are we all just incredibly dumb? All in all, a triumphant return to the stage and another chapter in the Skewer's storied history of kicking major ass. Enjoy!

The Skewer closes out 2017, the worst year, with another delightful edition. Check it out as Kristin Lytie channels a DoL rep to bemoan the state of labor in modern America, Tyler Snodgrass runs through the deal with Michael Flynn and all connected morons, Angela Vela reviewed the frustratingly litigation-free world of extremely negligent hunting accidents, and Erika Price takes the misinformation out of the imminent loss of net neutrality. And in the Skewer debate, erica dreisbach took on Ashley Ray-Harris to figure out 2017's best plan of attack in the SJW War on Christmas. Plus, of course, host Tom Harrison and a fake news quiz from Kevin Johnson. As awful as 2017 was overall, we can't overstate how fun a year it was at the Skewer. Thanks for listening and see you in February!

The Skewer's second birthday kicked ass and totally owned, folks. Melanie O'Brien took us into the horrors of the Values Voters Summit. Sarah Magnuson showed how much Harvey Weinstein can "change" in one week. Atra Asdou channeled Melanie Ornery, the beratement specialist who coached Donald Trump in expertly berating a grieving widow. And Skewer co-founder Eric Ruelle graced the stage once again, visiting from Detroit, and schooled us on the intersection of politics and sports. And in the Skewer debate Roxane West, unopposed due to her opponent's illness, fucking killed it and achored a SOLO DEBATE with a shockingly specific tale of the mundane hell we live in and will continue to. Guys, this show is the best. I can't believe it's been going for two years and has featured so many dope writers. It's been a goddamn honor. Here's to another year and beyond. Kevin's fake news game (Round One) - 1:10 Tom Harrison - 7:52 Voicemail Op-Ed with erica dreisbach - 29:13 Melanie O'Brien - 32:28 Sarah Magnuson - 46:59 Kevin's fake news game (Round Two) - 55:36 Atra Asdou - 1:02:56 Eric Ruelle - 1:13:22 Kevin's fake news game (Round Three) - 1:23:55 THE SKEWER DEBATE: Roxane West vs. N/A - 1:30:42 Second Birthday Toast with erica, Eric, and Tom - 1:56:29

Another month of horror means another Skewer of glory. erica dreisbach hosted the whole affair like a champion as she summarized the month's news both good and bad. Kevin Johnson hosted the Skewer's delightful and extremely hard fake news quiz. Onicia Muller told the harrowing story of Sint Maarten, her home now devastated by Hurricane Irma. Joe Anderson showed us how the bumbling dopes of Equifax gathered power by being weird shitty creeps. Gwynn Fulcher showed us the path to a better world made of metal: Unicron, God of Chaos. And Tom Harrison and Cody Melcher squared off in the Skewer debate, deciding once and for all the best way for athletes to disrespect the flag: wear flag underpants on the outside or squat and grimace during the National Anthem. The Skewer is like an ever-fixed star of satirical excellence and this edition was no different. PLUS, we raised over $250 dollars for Puerto Rico, so that rules. Kevin Johnson (Fake News Quiz round 1) - 1:00 erica dreisbach - 8:32 Onicia Muller - 17:13 Kevin Johnson (Fake News Quiz round 2) - 27:27 Joe Anderson - 32:34 Gwynn Fulcher - 43:52 Kevin Johnson (Fake News Quiz round 3)- 54:30 Skewer Debate: Cody Melcher vs. Tom Harrison - 1:00:50

Oh wow, I say that The Skewer had one of its best shows ever every month, and that's because it's always true, but this month it was EXTRA true. I was honored to host this truly stellar night of comedy & satire, with a searing essay about the political power of art by Skewer co-producer erica dreisbach, a personal account of the unifying power of the eclipse by Kim Nelson, a meditation on the effect of the DACA repeal on a 1.5th generation media journalist from Danette Chavez, a haunting love letter to the maybe-to-be-hit-by-Hurricane-Irma state of South Carolina by Mary Tilden, and one of the most outrageous Skewer debates EVER between Ashley Ray and Ray Goldberg to determine if America's next atomic lover should be Russia or North Korea. Kevin K. Johnson also killed it hosting the Skewer's Fake News game, proving once again that real news is just as horrifying and disheartening as shit he made up. Ah geez but this was a fun night. Enjoy! Kevin Johnson (fake news game) - 1:30 Tom Harrison - 5:41 erica dreisbach - 19:40 Kim Nelson - 34:03 Kevin Johnson (fake news game) - 43:07 Danette Chavez - 47:30 Mary Tilden - 56:42 Kevin Johnson (fake news game) - 1:07:16 THE SKEWER DEBATE: Ray Goldberg vs. Ashley Ray-Harris - 1:16:20

As ever, The Skewer owns. Who could ever doubt? Hosted by Tom Harrison, this edition features Kevin Johnson debuting a new fake-news-identifying game. Carrie Cook explained why today's hell world has poisoned the sweet relief of escapist TV. Tom Wisdom shared the arcane, eldritch horrors Jared Kushner left off his disclosure forms. Archy Arch J showed us that the GOP can give the devil head without making a deal with him. And Megan Kirby showed us how we can cope with the incipient apocalypse with today's pop hits. In the Skewer debate Jane Harrison squared off against Elaine Phillips to decide what pop culture property needs to be rebooted to infuriate dumb online men: Infinite Jest or Game of Thrones? I mean, the answer is both, but we have to debate anyway. Kevin Johnson (round 1) - 0:56 Tom Harrison - 6:24 erica dreisbach (voicemail op-ed) - 20:08 Carrie Cook - 22:50 Tom Wisdom - 30:45 Kevin Johnson (round 2) - 37:35 Archy Arch J - 41:13 Megan Kirby -48:32 Kevin Johnson (round 3) - 1:00:48 THE SKEWER DEBATE: Jane Harrison vs. Elaine Phillips - 1:05:21

This is, like, one of the best Skewers ever. Anchored by the excellent hosting of erica dreisbach, we got Skewer co-founder #1 Tom Harrison on the ephemeral nature of Chicago's weird neighborhoods, Skewer co-founder #2 Eric Ruelle shared an essay about Bill Cosby/the fallibility of heroes that blew us away, Prateek Srivastava gave us the lowdown on the cricket world, Arish Singh shared the kinky, sexy human rights abuses committed by our bae James Comey's FBI, and Jillian Ebanks showed our white-ass Logan Square selves how to be an ally without also being extremely annoying. Top it off with a good-ass debate between the hilarious Roxane West and Death (as played by the incomparable Ian Rigg) and you got yrself one GOOD ASS SHOW. Enjoy! 0:55- erica dreisbach 7:07- Tom Harrison (voicemail op-ed) 12:04- Tom Harrison 28:00- Eric Ruelle 36:36- Prateek Srivastava 46:48- Arish Singh 1:02:35- Jillian Ebanks 1:14:34- THE SKEWER DEBATE: Roxane West v Ian Rigg

19 Skewers in the books and I can say with confidence that we cannot help but kick ass and rule in a major way. Zack Mast helped punch up the jokes of our nation's most treasured comic Mike Huckabee. Will Sonheim shared a horse-based fever dream of glue and politics. Carly Ballerini explored the complicated sexuality of noted shithead and literal motherfucker Mike Pence. Odinaka Ezeokoli took the stage as Sheriff David Clarke to set the record straight on his Trump administration job. Cody Melcher reminded us that the gentleness of Mr. Rogers was and is a precious thing. And Nora Regis triumphed over erica dreisbach to prove the next celebrity President must be The Rock. Lord, but this show owns every single month. Tom Harrison- 1:51 erica dreisbach- 12:00 Zack Mast- 16:25 Will Sonheim- 23:34 Carly Ballerini- 31:08 Odinaka Ezeokoli- 38:55 Cody Melcher- 48:59 DEBATE: erica dreisbach vs. Nora Regis- 59:53

With a lineup as dope as this, there was little doubt The Skewer 18 would own. And own it did. Ilana Gordon started off the op-eds with a terrifyingly in-depth look at the Unicorn Frappucino. Carl Glick showed us the dark side of jacking in to cyberspace. Erika Price shared the story of her long struggle and eventual victory over her hated rival Bill O'Reilly. Onicia Muller showed us a 7-step program to learn from Juicero and become Silicon Valley VC millionaires. And Mary Tilden gave us a Southerner's perspective on how fucking insane it is that Confederate monuments are just coming down now. In the Skewer debate Sonal Aggarwal and Josh Zagoren had a raucous verbal melee to decide which industry should follow airlines' lead & get inexplicably violent. It was a good one. Tom Harrison - 0:50 erica dreisbach - 13:30 Ilana Gordon - 17:25 Carl Glick - 25:37 Erika Price - 38:01 Onicia Muller - 48:54 Mary Tilden - 1:01:38 THE SKEWER DEBATE: Sonal Aggarwal vs. Josh Zagoren - 1:14:00

Oh good goddamn, The Skewer was on fire this month. Wall-to-wall dopeness. Host Tom Harrison's opening monologue on February/shock humor/Breitbart was one of the pieces of writing he's been proudest to present. Eric Lutz couldn't be at the show physically but his words on the nature of Kyrie Irving and truth made up for it. Mike Haverty showed us undeniable proof of Trump's lizardish ways. Chloe Riley put her goddamn FEET ON A COUCH for journalism. erica dreisbach taught us about our boy JC the political dissident. Ines Bellina told us how 45 is a despairingly boring rerun and gave tips how to survive his dumb-ass presidency. We capped it with a delightful debate with Erin Klabunde vs Bill Bullock to decide the next Trump spokesperson. Seriously every single person on this lineup tonight killed it. The Skewer is peerless. Tom Harrison - 1:43 Eric Lutz - 17:15 Mike Haverty - 28:20 Chloe Riley - 37:34 erica dreisbach - 51:49 Ines Bellina - 1:00:00 THE SKEWER DEBATE: Bill Bullock vs. Erin Klabunde - 1:16:15

The Skewer 15 was on point beyond already sky-high expectations. Elizabeth Gomez broke our goddamn hearts with an exploration of America's deadly hypocrisy in its treatment of children. Shannon Noll saw the opening days of DJ Trump's administration through a queer lens. erica dreisbach gave a report on the historic Women's March in DC. Alisa Rosenthal took us on a walking tour of the gems of the 2017 Oscars. And Gwynn Fulcher took us on an erotic journey into the now forever-empty presidential pleasure domes of Barack Obama and Joe Biden. To cap it all off, Danette Chavez and Mason Johnson proved merciless verbal gladiators as they debated what the next pope-based HBO show should be, with a truly unexpected victor. Tom and erica also left some dope voicemails on our reps' phones. Guys, this is a spicy one. Skewer forever! Tom Harrison - 1:10 VOICEMAIL OP-ED from erica dresibach - 15:35 Elizabeth Gomez - 19:20 Shannon Noll - 33:13 erica dreisbach - 42:37 Alisa Rosenthal - 49:50 Gwynn Fulcher - 1:00:51 VOICEMAIL OP-ED from Tom Harrison - 1:11:21 SKEWER DEBATE: Mason Johnson vs. Danette Chavez - 1:16:04

The Skewer roars into the new year with a dope batch of excellent satire, as is our way. Led off by a BRAND NEW SEGMENT: Voicemail Op-Eds, as performed by new Skewer co-producer erica dreisbach. Joe Anderson rightfully exposes the dangerously bland Andy Borowitz for the black hole of comedy he is. Arish Singh takes the left wing media to task for wasting time futzing about with white status wars when there are Nazis to fight, Megan Kirby explores the tenuous place of ephemeral pop-culture comfort food in an increasingly uncomfortable world, and Sameena Mustafa gives us a glimpse into the beating white heart of Pantsuit Nation. Oz Elgun and Nic Wehrwein faced off in the Skewer debate to decide what's the best way to make Americans care about Aleppo: say dogs are being killed instead of humans, or rename Aleppo "White People Town"? OH MAN, guys, this show is incredible. Off the chain--where even is the chain? There is no chain. Enjoy! Tom Harrison- 1:00 erica dreisbach- 11:30 Joe Anderson- 21:30 Arish Singh- 33:10 Megan Kirby- 46:30 Sameena Mustafa- 57:57 THE SKEWER DEBATE: Oz Elgun vs. Nic Wehrwein- 1:16:48

The Skewer takes ONE MONTH off and the country goes to shit. I can't trust you people for one second. Yes, it's the first edition of The Skewer live news revue since the election of Donald Trump, and we're going to wring every scrap of comedy and satire that we can out of the last few months in which dissent is legal. Elaine Phillips leads off with a discussion on language, comedy, and the truth. Chris Rife takes us on a very serious and real look at the storied life of Fidel Castro. Cory O'Brien couldn't make it to the show, so Tom read his piece about failling in and out of love with FIveThirtyEight. Peter-john Byrnes dismantles the myth of the underrepresented middle American and ruins Field of Dreams (not that it needed much help there). Claire Linic teaches us how to raise hell in a world that traps us in metaphorical and sometimes actual cages for no reason. And in The Skewer Debate, Ilana Gordon faces off against erica dreisbach to decide the future editiorial direction for The Skewer: keep parroting bland leftist opinions, or abandon politics in favor of beer and fart jokes? Guys! This one is especially fun and good. In times as fraught as these, where so much is at stake and anxiety hangs thick in the air, I kinda needed a show like this. Enjoy!! Tom Harrison - 1:42 Elaine Phillips - 12:32 Chris Rife - 24:01 Cory O'Brien (as read by Tom) - 31:57 Peter-john Byrnes - 41:07 Claire Linic - 51:35 THE SKEWER DEBATE: Ilana Gordon vs. erica dreisbach - 58:15

THE SKEWER TURNS ONE! A full year of dope satire from your favorite sweeties, and this month is no different. Host Tom Harrison kicks us off with a eulogy for Bake-Off. Tocarra Mallard puts Ted Cruz in his place (a satirist's work is never done). Dominick Mayer dived into Corey Feldman's inscrutable existence/musical career. Bill Bullock delivers a searing piece of satire (that might be one of my favorites?) about the role of police. Cody Melcher explored the morality of celebrity consumption culture, specifically via bidding on Truman Capote's ashes. Alisa Rosenthal reveled in the glorious new world order that has finally realized that RuPaul deserves to be given all the goddamn awards. IN THE SKEWER DEBATE, Elizabeth Gomez and Roxane West debate to decide who will be the Trump Administration's best choice for the empty Supreme Court seat: an Actual Vampire or The Entire Spanish Inquisition? It's a goddamn great one, and features a video appearance from Skewer co-founder and absent father Eric Ruelle. What more could you want? IT'S SO GOOD Tom Harrison- 2:05 Tocarra Mallard- 13:19 Dominick Mayer - 24:10 Bill Bullock- 33:36 Cody Melcher- 46:48 Alisa Rosenthal - 57:17 THE SKEWER DEBATE: Elizabeth Gomez vs. Roxane West- 1:05:51 Eric Ruelle- 1:32:32

God damn, this edition of the Skewer was one of the all-time greats. Liz Reuss kicks it off with a look at would-be Good Wife and unfortunate victim of Carlos Danger, Huma Abedin. Kayla Lane Freeman took us on a tour of her hyper-aggressive home state of Texas, where puffy pony stickers are criminally underappreciated. Joe Anderson showed us the darker side of fandom culture through the lens of those who would defend Suicide Squad from bad reviews with their lives. Patrick Reilly made a shitton of jokes about crossbows, which was as hilarious as you're imagining (provided you image it as very hilarious). Fran Hoepfner capped off the op-eds by explaining once and for all what food to brew up like some kinda magic potion to get people to fuck, humans of course being notoriously ambivalent about sex. THE DEBATE WAS SO DOPE, with comedy monsters Stephanie Weber and Dan Sheehan competing to see what's the best way to enforce the University of Chicago's no-trigger-warnings policy: hiring scary guys to yell at students, or replacing dorms with haunted houses. People, this one is so good. What a time. PS. Patrick used both mics for his piece, which was funny in person but leads to slightly blown-out audio in podcast. Our apologies! Tom Harrison- 1:50 Liz Reuss- 10:15 Kayla Lane Freeman- 18:21 Joe Anderson- 33:41 Patrick Reilly- 44:16 Fran Hoepfner- 55:09 THE SKEWER DEBATE: Dan Sheehan vs. Stephanie Weber- 1:03:24

We're double digits, you guys. Ten Skewers, and what better way to celebrate than by being GODDAMN AMAZING AS ALWAYS? Rachel McCartney demolished Illinois's weird obsession with young people, Shannon Noll took us on a tour of the Juggalos and the GOP, Ian Randall said goodbye to the city with a somber note from an unappreciated tree, and Gwynn Fulcher reviewed a very important movie. The Skewer's own Tom Harrison took on Nora Regis in the debate, to decide once and for all the next feature for the hit mobile game Pokemon Go. Dudes, this shit is SO GOOD. The laffs were overwhelming. MANY GOOFS, I tell ya. You'll love it. I did. Tom Harrison (intro)-1:24 Rachel McCartney- 8:07 Shannon Noll- 13:07 Ian Randall- 19:21 Gwynn Fulcher- 28:07 SKEWER DEBATE: Nora Regis vs. Tom Harrison- 39:00

Another month of news, another month of unassailably excellent writers and comedians making fun of the news. That's the way we do shit at the Skewer. Sarah Magnuson opens the show with a meditation on childlessness and apes, as all great shows must. Sonia Denis prescribed the sitcom cure for wokeness-related exhaustion. Will Sonheim, son of Arkedelphia, sent off the venerable Prairie Home Companion. Kyle Scanlan took us on a tour through the ghoulish history of basketball draft day suits in a VERY visually-focused bit. Cody Melcher faces off against erica dreisbach in the Skewer debate, deciding once and for all what's the best way to top Brexit: make the NRA our government, or elect the Burger King Mac and Cheeto? It's a goddamn wonderful show. I do hope you like it. Sarah Magnuson- 1:55 Sonia Denis- 12:16 Will Sonheim- 20:56 Kyle Scanlan- 32:13 SKEWER DEBATE: Cody Melcher vs. erica dreisbach- 43:50 Tom Harrison- 1:09:42 Want to see the slides for Kyle's piece? I got you: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1j18WDCseVJNNuvdJf_SDUXtAhEsIqYRfaBo59V-Kdc0/edit?usp=sharing

It's a miracle! Despite massive microphone failure, The Skewer podcast roars back into existence with June 2016's show thanks to Ian Rigg's recordings. And what a show it was. Host Eric Ruelle presided over one of the Skewer's best outings before moving on to Detroit. Ilana Gordon took CBS to task for their crippling Kevin James addiction. Tom Harrison let a twitter poll about monkeys dominate his life. Mike Haverty gave us a tour of Raun Town. And Write Club Overlord Ian Belknap eviscerated NC Governor Pat McCrory with the brutality we have come to expect. Veteran skewerers Ian Rigg and Erika Price square off in the debate over what the next big budget nostalgia video game movie should be. Guys: the Skewer is amazing. We're honored to share it with you. Ilana Gordon- 0:58 Tom Harrison- 9:02 Mike Haverty- 22:16 Ian Belknap- 29:54 SKEWER DEBATE Ian Rigg vs. Erika Price- 40:47 Eric Ruelle- 1:06:50

The Skewer returns to destroy the dumb news of April. This month our lineup is SUPERCHARGED with the writing staff of The Whiskey Journal, America's second favorite source for fake news. This is a super-sized show with a packed bill, so excuse the length. Maybe listen in two sittings. It's worth it. Show is fire. Josh Ballew- 2:13 Eric Stassen- 12:53 Calle Hack- 36:35 Patrick Reilly- 42:21 Mathias Muschal- 50:35 Stephanie Weber- 1:02:44 THE SKEWER DEBATE Andrew Voris vs Kyle Scanlan- 1:17:10 Tom Harrison- 1:44:29

The Skewer never disappoints. This month we have incredible op-ed essays from Joe Anderson, Elaine Phillips, and Meredith Kachel. First-time live lit readers Carl Glick and Anthony Sanders TOTALLY KILL in their first-ever performances. As if that weren't enough, we have the first SKEWER FOUNDER'S DEBATE featuring Eric Ruelle vs. Tom Harrison! It's a doozy. Joe Anderson- 2:53 Carl Glick- 13:15 Elaine Phillips- 25:56 Anthony Sanders- 34:56 Meredith Kachel- 44:31 SKEWER DEBATE: Tom Harrison vs, Eric Ruelle- 53:34 Improvised Mini-Debates with Tom and Eric- 1:12:23

The fifth edition of the Skewer wrecks all with its unfathomable quality. These writers crush February's skull under the weight of their mind-searingly potent talent. Op-Eds by Eric Ruelle, Tocarra Mallard, Alisa Rosenthal, and Gwynn Fulcher. The Skewer debate this month features Stephanie Weber and Ian Rigg. Hosted by Tom Harrison. Eric Ruelle - 1:21 Tocarra Mallard - 7:52 Alisa Rosenthal - 15:10 Gwynn Fulcher - 24:06 SKEWER DEBATE (Stephanie Weber v. Ian Rigg) - 33:44 Tom Harrison - 1:04:29 Audio maxes out a bit during Alisa's piece due to the volume of the music cues. Our apologies!

It's a goddamn supernova of talent as The Skewer takes on the news of January 2016 with our metaphorical katana of satire. Host Eric Ruelle takes us on a journey through the news, featuring the editorial might of Kayla Lane Freeman, Matthew Defiore, Elaine Phillips, Amanda Claire Buckley. AND THEN comes the signature Skewer debate, for the first time ever with a prize on the line, as Zach Wziontka takes on the Skewer's own Tom Harrison. Who could ask for more? Kayla Lane Freeman- 2:06 Matthew Defiore- 12:50 Elaine Phillips- 22:08 Amanda Claire Buckley- 35:21 SKEWER DEBATE: Tom Harrison vs. Zach Wziontka- 48:43 Eric Ruelle- 1:11:12

We proudly present the Skewer's January 2016 show, satirizing the dumb news of the preceding December, recorded for the poor souls who couldn't make it to Cafe Mustache to see it in person. Hosted by Tom Harrison, featuring op-ed from Pari Karim, Rebecca O'Neal, Ian Randall, Calle Hack, and Tyler Snodgrass. Debate by REAL-LIFE BROTHERS Dan Rife and Chris Rife. 1:33- Pari Karim 11:32- Rebecca O'Neal 23:07- Ian Randall 33:19- Calle Hack 42:18- Tyler Snodgrass 50:45- THE DEBATE: Chris Rife vs Dan Rife 1:11:23- Tom Harrison

The first ever Skewer podcast presents our hilarious live monthly news revue for the poor souls who couldn't see it in person (or the lucky souls who want to experience it again). Hosted by Eric Ruelle, featuring Amanda Claire Buckley, Josh Leeper, Jim Markus, erica dreisbach, Tom Harrison, and Cory O'Brien.